ISD vs VYM
PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ISD or VYM?
High Yield Bond against Large Cap Value.
VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | ISD | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | - | 0.04% |
| AUM | $468M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.31% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 780 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -12.31% | +12.87%Best |
| 1Y Return | -10.71% | +17.25%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.33% | +17.66%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.01% | +11.98%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.2%Best | 13.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -54.3% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,598 | $17,608Best |
| Fund Family | PGIM Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 26, 2012 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 26, 2012 to Sep 15, 2026 (14.4 years).
ISD vs VYM growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 14.4 years both funds cover.
ISD vs VYM Performance
PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc (ISD) is an ETF from PGIM Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ISD returned -10.71% while VYM returned +17.25%. Year to date, ISD is down 12.31% versus a gain of 12.87% for VYM.
Over three years, ISD compounded at +9.33% per year against +17.66% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +3.01% and +11.98% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.93% annualized vs +0.06%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.1% compared with 12.2% for ISD. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -54.3% for ISD and -35.7% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.0% of VYM's money is in holdings ISD also owns.
Stated as a floor: for ISD, our book for it covers 81.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VYM and ISD share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 182 days apart, ISD as of Jan 30, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
3 positions in common, counted across the 609 positions we hold weights for in ISD and 557 in VYM, against full books of 780 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ISD and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which performed better, ISD or VYM?
Over the past year ISD returned -10.71% vs +17.25% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), ISD annualized +0.06% vs +9.93% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ISD or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.1% annualized versus 12.2% for ISD. Worst drawdown: ISD -54.3% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both ISD and VYM?
ISD and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between ISD and VYM?
At least 1.0% of VYM's money is in holdings ISD also owns. Our book for ISD is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 609 positions we hold weights for in ISD and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, ISD or VYM?
ISD yields 9.31% while VYM yields 2.22%, so ISD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ISD?
VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.